Somewhere, no doubt in proximity to a spotlight, Tim Tebow is giggling. The No. 25 draft pick was Tebow's parting gift to the Broncos.

The three-day NFL draft starts tonight, with the first round beginning at 6 p.m. The Broncos are expected to make their No. 25 selection around 8 p.m.

"We'll have a group of players we like," said John Elway, the Broncos' executive vice president of football operations. "But because of where we're picking and you don't know how the board will fall, we won't know who we're picking until an hour before our pick. Not an hour before the draft, an hour before we pick."

If not for Tebow, the Broncos may have been picking in the top five for a second consecutive year. They may have been picking closer to 6:30 p.m. They may have been in position to draft another Von Miller.

The Broncos were 1-4 through Week 5 of the 2011 season, seemingly headed for another high draft choice after finishing 4-12 the year before.

Then came Tebow. One improbable victory followed another. The unorthodox Tebow not only led the Broncos to the playoffs, he led them past Pittsburgh in the postseason's first round with an overtime touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas. That playoff victory qualified the Broncos for the NFL's Elite Eight in 2011 — but bottom eight for the subsequent draft in 2012.

Gosh dang, Tebow! Say that to him and he will giggle.

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Tebow and the distraction that is Tebowmania were traded to the New York Jets last month after the Broncos signed Peyton Manning, a four-time MVP quarterback whose stardom is based more on proof than faith. Manning was a blockbuster addition from free agency, but anyone expecting the Broncos to get another NFL defensive rookie of the year tonight might be dreaming.

Former Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (Denver Post file photo)

Von Millers are available at No. 2. They're usually gone by No. 25.

"We had the whole draft last year," Elway said. "Now you know you have 24 guys that are going to go in front of you, so trying to figure out who is going to be an impact guy at 25, it's a big difference."

Then again, Broncos coach John Fox may be among the dreamers. He acquired linebacker Jon Beason with the No. 25 pick for Carolina in 2007. Tebow was taken No. 25 in 2010, three slots after Demaryius Thomas. The Broncos wouldn't be upset if they picked up the next Demaryius Thomas tonight. Stephen Hill was Thomas' teammate at Georgia Tech.

Hill is a 6-foot-5 wide receiver who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. He averaged 29.3 yards per catch as a junior last season. How does Georgia Tech, with its spread-option offense, keep getting first round-caliber wide receivers?

"It was a pro-style offense when I got there," Thomas said. "I thought about transferring, but it's an offense where as a receiver, you can make big plays. And it's an offense where you learn how to block, which is good for the NFL. I told that to Stephen Hill when I was recruiting him, that if you put the hard work in, you will have big-time success. It's why I stayed there and why Stephen came there."

Hill might be the Broncos' choice if defensive tackles Dontari Poe of Memphis or LSU's Michael Brockers are gone by No. 25. If Brockers, Poe and Hill are all gone, the Broncos may take Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, or one of two more defensive tackles: Jerel Worthy or Kendall Reyes.

This is what the Broncos mean when they say they will take the best available player, even if they recognize defensive tackle is their top position of need. If they don't take a defensive tackle in the first round, the Broncos are almost certain to take one Friday, when the draft conducts the second and third rounds.

As for Friday, the Broncos will look at selecting a running back (Doug Martin, Chris Polk or Terrance Ganaway), quarterback (Nick Foles or Brock Osweiler), kick returner and either a cornerback or defensive tackle, depending on which position isn't addressed in the first round tonight.

That's more needs than picks, which is why trading back from the No. 25 slot for an additional draft choice or two also is a possibility.

"It's fluid," Elway said of the Broncos' strategy.

Dang, that giggling Tebow.

Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com

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Assuming defensive tackle Fletcher Cox of Mississippi State and cornerback Stephon Gilmore of South Carolina are gone tonight by the time the Broncos select at No. 25, here are some players they will consider drafting, according to Denver Post Broncos beat reporter Mike Klis:

Michael Brockers, DT, LSU, 6-foot-6, 306 pounds

Not expected to fall this far. Considered the most physically talented defensive tackle available in this draft, but he's raw.

Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech, 6-5, 215

Only 28 receptions last year, but averaged 29.3 yards per catch. Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds at the NFL scouting combine.

Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis, 6-4, 346

He threw 44 reps of 225 on the bench press and runs a 4.9 40 — at 346 pounds. He doesn't get knocked down, but short arms may explain why he struggles to get off blocks.

Dre Kirkpatrick, CB, Alabama, 6-2, 186

Entering 2011, many NFL scouts thought Kirkpatrick was the best cornerback prospect they'd seen since Darrelle Revis. But he didn't have any interceptions last year.

Kendall Reyes, DT; Jerel Worthy, DT; Kendall Wright, WR

If a very good player slips, teams picking in the 27 to 35 slots may call the Broncos about a trade. With multiple needs, the Broncos would consider trading down.

NFL draft

FIRST ROUND

Today, 6 p.m., ESPN, NFLN

Broncos' pick: No. 25.

On the clock: Each team has 10 minutes to make its selection. The Broncos should make their selection around 8 p.m.

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